Energy independence has been one of the most talked-about issues of this election — and if you've filled up your gas tank lately, you know why. With oil exceeding $115 a barrel, and gas prices expected to reach a national average of $4.00 a gallon by the summer, the need to reform our current energy policy is no longer just an environmental issue, it's becoming an economic necessity.

Most Americans agree that we should decrease our dependence on foreign oil, but precisely what steps should be taken? Should we begin drilling in untapped oil reserves in states such as Alaska? Should we invest in alternative forms of energy, such as corn-based ethanol? Should we concentrate on developing more hybrid technology? Or, as some suggest, is the energy crisis really an economic crisis in disguise and so should strengthening the dollar be our first priority?

Senator Joe Biden was among the first politicians to bring the conversation about reforming U.S. energy policy to YouTube. Back during his moment in the You Choose '08 Spotlight, he asked voters what they would do to break America's dependence on oil. He received many responses, including this one from Razela, who suggests that the government offers tax incentives to automakers based on gas efficiency standards. Check out Senator Biden's response to Razela's video.

To learn a little about the economics of oil, watch this video from CBS News, in which Josh Landis and Mitch Butler of the Fast Draw team give a quick but thorough overview of what factors determine gas prices—complete with pictures.

Addressing the issue of alternative energy, Ethan Block of WhatShouldYouKnow offers some interesting facts (and opinions) about corn-based ethanol. Meanwhile, hoping to dispel the stereotype that oil companies only care about profits, John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Company, presented one of the keynote speeches at the first Low Carbon Fuels Conference in Sacramento this April.

Michelle Kaufmann's YouTube Channel is dedicated to helping individuals make their daily lives more "eco-friendly." In this video, Kaufmann shows us how to make eco-friendly candles from renewable resources like soy and beeswax.

If you're environmentally conscious and looking for a laugh, watch this "eco-parody"of the film There Will Be Blood, made especially for Earth Day. And finally, watch this video from shiftinaction, in which environmental advocate Van Jones reminds us that energy independence isn't an isolated issue — it's connected to every issue facing America's future.

What greenhouse effect? All of NASA's data from the last decade shows that the "global average temperature" (whatever that means) has been dropping for the last 5 years, and had plateaued for the 5 years before that. All while CO2 production has increased! And do you know that America is in the midst of it's first food shortage ever? Know why? Because of the focus on ethanol in auto fuels. Ethanol doesn't work, folks. It will cause an increase in automobile corrosion due to the water left from the distillation process, and it produces less energy per unit than gasoline does, meaning that every car will have to burn more to get the same amount of work done. That increases consumption.

Drill in Alaska. Drill in the Dakotas. Drill off of our shores; Mexico already does. Allow our refineries to expand. The way to end our dependence on foreign oil is to utilize the sources we have within our borders! We have years, even decades worth of oil under ground that we control!

man, if Youtube is even talking about this, this has got to be bad in the US. surprised it took them so long, tho. this is a lot more serious than it is percieved above, and this not only requires a change in the energy form that is used, but a change in the lifestyle of many people to one that does not depend as severely on oil as it does now, because when that gas price reaches $150 a barrel as it seems to be heading, there will be some serious problems in many countries. oil is running low, and we as human beings must find an alternative source of energy before its too late. 'nuff said.

The answer is simply supply and demand. We, as individual Americans and consumers, have no purchasing power with the oil companies. We can not command a discount in the marketplace because we have no economies of scale in what we purchase. The answer is to havfe the US Government use our collective purchasing power to import all crude oil, gasoline, and distillates. If we collectively used our purchasing power and our govenment bought directly from the exporting countries, the price would drop like a rock because it would eliminate the financial speculators and oil companies that are in the middle of all transactions and who are running up the price of all oil products. We should be telling the oil companies what amount of oil we will let them refine/process/transport and the profit margin we are willing to let them take to the bank. Want cheap energy, nationalize the import of all oil products.

I have invented an alternative health treatment plan that halts the spread internally of the HIV virus. The treatment was used on an individual with less than higher form of the HIV virus. I hereby request assistance to help me continue my efforts for continuation of finding alternative cures for the infection and other ailments of life.

THE CLIENT WAS AND IS EMPLOYED AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE. Additionally, for your information; flight attendants must appear presentable at all times while in-flight, per airline codes for customer service suitability. If an attendant is bruised or does not appear to be presentable, the attendant would be grounded until their general and overall appearance is considered acceptable, as well as, presentable. The fact that this treatment has served one so well, as to not incur additional expenses to provide for body maintenance, speaks volumes to its effectiveness. There can be no other test to demonstrate the abilities and properties of this fantastic treatment plan! This treatment is amazing in that the treatment has not been re-started since 2003 and the treatment participant is still in very good condition and is presentable at all times! The participant has never been grounded since participating in the treatment plan or thereafter. The treatment plan does speak for itself. You must try it and believe in it! The world needs this treatment, now. There is a viable solution to fighting this insidious disease.

The client was on the HIV Viral Inhibitor treatment therapy for 3 months. The therapy works like this: (1) drop of treatment solution with 6-8 oz. water, 3 times per day, on alternate days (e.g. Mon, Wed, Fri) and once a week use one drop of the solution with 4-6 oz. water as a enema or colon cleanser to help remove toxins from the body. To date, there has been no re-occurrence of the treatment plan, and the test client is in better health today, because of it. The Treatment Plan will assist your body to develop rebuilding and progressive cells to help fight the virus. Cell rejuvenation is a key component in fighting this dreadful disease. The rejuvenation is based on the degree of severity the HIV patient. The more severe the disease, the more fighting cells produce ‘ninja’ kick butt type cells. The client stated that he felt the treatment, enabled his body to create other combat cells to help fight the virus. And the ability of his body to better withstands some of the more conventional treatment therapies. My treatment plan is called: The HIV Viral Inhibitor and this treatment is an AIDS Booster type effort And it works.

P.S. Here are other treatment plans currently underway:1). I am currently working on a treatment plan for the AVIAN Flu; prospects look good should be ready in a few months.2). Treatment for the reduction or removal of ‘BRAIN PLAQUE’ found in Alzheimer’s patients.RESEARCH OVERVIEW:To provide alternative treatment plans for infectious diseases and other approachable ailments.MISSION:To make available to all those people who are in need of this inexpensive treatment plans for fighting their infectious diseases. Additionally, to partner with an HIV testing kit provider to start treatment as soon as disease has been detected. This disease must be dealt with swiftly and aggressively. We must not give this insidious disease any more credit or opportunity to continue to deceive us. There is an answer and I have given it to you! Your move!

I am an Lab tech going for my B.S. in Biology. I did my research. Now if you want to see something truthful go rent six degrees from the Discovery Station (local library) scared me and I am knowledgable about Globel warning etc. It spooked me out.marladee1

REALLY GREAT NEWS!!! You can now not only heat and cool your home the clean,earth friendly , renewable , geothermal way-but also your POOL! This is information well worth looking into-Francis http://www.geothermalquestions.net